616 episodes
How Top VCs Pick Founders, Evaluate Startups & Fund Them | Sasha Mirchandani | FO564 Raj Shamani
19/09/2026 | 2h 19 mins.Download Porter Here: https://porter.in/enterprise
Get your hand-picked playbook here: https://www.figuringout.co/pdf/fo-564
Guest Suggestion Form:
https://forms.gle/bnaeY3FpoFU9ZjA47
Disclaimer: This video is intended solely for educational purposes and opinions shared by the guest are his personal views. We do not intent to defame or harm any person/ brand/ product/ country/ profession mentioned in the video.
Our goal is to provide information to help audience make informed choices. The media used in this video are solely for informational purposes and belongs to their respective owners.
(00:00) - Intro
(04:02) - Selling TVs Before VC: Learning to Sell in a Cutthroat Market
(09:45) - Founders Who Weren't Even Looking for Funding
(16:50) - Reading a Founder's Journey: Spotting the "Never Quit" Trait
(23:38) - Why Founders Start for the Wrong Reasons (And How to Spot It)
(32:19) - Is Competitiveness the #1 Trait of a Great Entrepreneur?
(40:49) - What Makes a Pitch Deck Actually Work?
(47:40) - Founders Who Failed Once and Came Back Smarter
(52:02) - His Failure Rate: The Brutal Math Behind VC Returns
(55:19) - Inside Two Big Wins: A US SaaS Bet & the Path to an IPO
(1:00:13) - The Porter Story: How a Strategic Clause Led to a Massive Bet
(1:05:40) - What He's Really Looking For: Gravitas, Clarity & Salesmanship
(1:24:04) - Founder Diligence: Spotting Bullshitters vs. Executors
(1:27:48) - When Will He Overpay vs. Underpay for a Startup?
(1:47:44) - First-Generation Founders Who Changed the Game
(1:56:30) - Are Big Founder Salaries a Red Flag for Investors?
(2:03:27) - How Would He Invest ₹100 Crore?
(2:14:04) - One Startup Opportunity for Young People
(2:15:25) - One Problem He Would Pay Someone to Solve
(2:18:20) - BTS
(2:18:56) - Outro
In today's episode, we sit down with Sasha Mirchandani Founder & Managing Partner at Kae Capital and Co-Founder of Mumbai Angels one of India's earliest and most respected venture investors, who backed India's first unicorn.
Follow Sasha Mirchandani here:
Linkedin: https://in.linkedin.com/in/sasha-mirchandani-81a48913
X: https://x.com/SashaMirchi
About Raj Shamani
Raj Shamani is an Entrepreneur at heart that explains his expertise in Business Content Creation & Public Speaking. He has delivered 200+ speeches in 26+ countries. Besides that, Raj is also an Angel Investor interested in crazy minds who are creating a sensation in the Fintech, FMCG, & passion economy space.
To Know More,Follow Raj Shamani On ⤵︎
Instagram @RajShamani https://www.instagram.com/rajshamani/
Twitter @RajShamani https://twitter.com/rajshamani
Facebook @ShamaniRaj https://www.facebook.com/shamaniraj
LinkedIn - Raj Shamani https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajshamani/
About Figuring Out
Figuring Out Podcast is a Candid Conversations University where Raj Shamani brings raw conversations with the Top 1% in India.Former Secret Service Agent: How Presidents Are Protected | Evy Poumpouras | FO563 Raj Shamani
17/09/2026 | 1h 57 mins.This episode is brought to you by Urban Platter. To know more, checkout: https://bit.ly/urban-platter-figuring-out
Get your hand-picked playbook here: https://www.figuringout.co/pdf/fo-563
Guest Suggestion Form:
https://forms.gle/bnaeY3FpoFU9ZjA47
Disclaimer: This video is intended solely for educational purposes and opinions shared by the guest are her personal views. We do not intent to defame or harm any person/ brand/ product/ country/ profession mentioned in the video.
Our goal is to provide information to help audience make informed choices. The media used in this video are solely for informational purposes and belongs to their respective owners.
(00:00) - Intro
(03:25) - From NYPD Cop to Protecting the President: Her Untold Story
(09:17) - The Brutal Secret Service Exam Almost Nobody Passes
(20:34) - The Hate She Faced as a Young Cop on the Street
(26:46) - The Psychology Trick That Gets Even Criminals to Talk
(33:46) - Inside Presidential Security: Snipers, Clean Zones & Hidden Threats
(45:22) - The Diplomatic Nightmare of Guarding a Leader on Foreign Soil
(49:43) - Why Even "Friendly" Governments Resist US Security Demands
(56:22) - Bulletproof Vests & the Science of Catching a Lie
(1:07:56) - Going Undercover: A Russian Sting & a Passport-Trafficking Bust
(1:13:11) - How She'd Interrogate Jeffrey Epstein and Ted Bundy
(1:29:21) - Signs of Psychopathy
(1:32:44) - What Would She Ask Osama Bin Laden in an Interrogation?
(1:40:16) - What's One Mistake Investigators Can Make to Blow Up the Interrogation?
(1:42:56) - Why Is It the Worst Time to Be a World Leader?
(1:48:34) - When Has She Felt the Most Powerless in Her Life?
(1:51:30) - What's the Cost of Being Successful at What She Does?
(1:56:06) - BTS
(1:57:25) - Outro
In today's episode, we sit down with Evy Poumpouras, a former U.S. Secret Service Special Agent who spent over a decade protecting several American Presidents and served on the Presidential Protective Division for Barack and Michelle Obama, before becoming a trained interrogator, polygraph examiner, and behavioral expert.
Follow Evy Poumpouras here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evypoumpouras/
X: https://x.com/EvyPoumpouras
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evypoumpouras/
About Raj Shamani
Raj Shamani is an Entrepreneur at heart that explains his expertise in Business Content Creation & Public Speaking. He has delivered 200+ speeches in 26+ countries. Besides that, Raj is also an Angel Investor interested in crazy minds who are creating a sensation in the Fintech, FMCG, & passion economy space.
To Know More, Follow Raj Shamani On ⤵︎
Instagram @RajShamani https://www.instagram.com/rajshamani/
Twitter @RajShamani https://twitter.com/rajshamani
Facebook @ShamaniRaj https://www.facebook.com/shamaniraj
LinkedIn - Raj Shamani https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajshamani/
About Figuring Out
Figuring Out Podcast is a Candid Conversations University where Raj Shamani brings raw conversations with the Top 1% in India.TOP Harvard Scientist: These 5 Habits Are Aging You Faster | David Sinclair | FO562 Raj Shamani
15/09/2026 | 2h 25 mins.Get your hand-picked playbook here: https://www.figuringout.co/pdf/fo-562
Check out Lifespan and get 50% off all Lifespan memberships with code RAJ2026: https://lifespan.com/
Guest Suggestion Form:
https://forms.gle/bnaeY3FpoFU9ZjA47
Disclaimer: This video is intended solely for educational purposes and opinions shared by the guest are his personal views. We do not intent to defame or harm any person/ brand/ product/ country/ profession mentioned in the video.
Our goal is to provide information to help audience make informed choices. The media used in this video are solely for informational purposes and belongs to their respective owners.
(00:00) - Intro
(02:48) - Reversing Age: The World's First Age-Reversal Technology
(08:10) - Why Every Organ Ages Differently & What Biological Age Really Means
(16:36) - The Mouse Experiments That Proved Age Reversal Is Possible
(23:58) - The Breakthrough Discovery That Reversed Aging & Cured Glaucoma
(32:30) - Why Your DNA Breaks 20,000 Times a Day
(48:33) - His Fasting Protocol
(1:04:13) - What Is NAD?
(1:08:05) - Why Children Don't Get Alzheimer's or Cancer: The Epigenome Advantage
(1:24:50) - Can Aging Damage Be Reversed? Spine Repair & Immune Aging
(1:29:04) - What Determines Aging & Why He Went Vegan
(1:31:45) - What's Better: Running or Strength Training?
(1:40:33) - GLP-1 Drugs, AI Drug Discovery & the Future of Disease-Free Aging
(1:51:10) - Ayurveda Meets Science: What Ancient Medicine Got Right
(1:53:11) - Good Stress vs. Bad Stress: When Hormesis Goes Too Far
(2:00:10) - 5 Habits Linked to 14 Extra Years of Healthy Life
(2:05:30) - Daily Habits That Actually Work: Steps, Standing & Diet
(2:12:07) - Supplements: What He Takes & What Young People Should Avoid
(2:20:51) - What's One Thing People Should Change in Their Lives to Make It Better?
(2:22:00) - What's the Cost of Becoming David Sinclair?
(2:24:00) - BTS
(2:24:45) - Outro
In today’s episode, we sit down with Dr. David Sinclair, A.O., Ph.D., Longevity Scientist and Professor of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, to understand the science of aging and whether we can actually slow it down.
Follow Dr. David Sinclair Here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidsinclairphd/
X: https://x.com/davidasinclair?lang=en
About Raj Shamani
Raj Shamani is an Entrepreneur at heart that explains his expertise in Business Content Creation & Public Speaking. He has delivered 200+ speeches in 26+ countries. Besides that, Raj is also an Angel Investor interested in crazy minds who are creating a sensation in the Fintech, FMCG, & passion economy space.
To Know More,Follow Raj Shamani On ⤵︎
Instagram @RajShamani https://www.instagram.com/rajshamani/
Twitter @RajShamani https://twitter.com/rajshamani
Facebook @ShamaniRaj https://www.facebook.com/shamaniraj
LinkedIn - Raj Shamani https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajshamani/
About Figuring Out
Figuring Out Podcast is a Candid Conversations University where Raj Shamani brings raw conversations with the Top 1% in India.Smriti Mandhana On Controlling Emotions, Handling Pressure & Failures | FO561 Raj Shamani
12/09/2026 | 1h 48 mins.Download Porter Here: https://app.adjust.com/216agedw
Get your hand-picked playbook here: https://www.figuringout.co/pdf/fo-561
Guest Suggestion Form:
https://forms.gle/bnaeY3FpoFU9ZjA47
Disclaimer: This video is intended solely for educational purposes and opinions shared by the guest are his personal views. We do not intent to defame or harm any person/ brand/ product/ country/ profession mentioned in the video.
Our goal is to provide information to help audience make informed choices. The media used in this video are solely for informational purposes and belongs to their respective owners.
(00:00) - Intro
(03:32) - Then vs. Now: Smriti's Cricket Journey
(06:53) - Her Coach's Manifestation Ritual
(18:30) - Handling Mistakes & the Call That Changed Her Mindset
(21:01) - Pressure & Anxiety
(26:05) - A Day in the Life of a Cricketer: World Cup Final
(38:03) - Her Pre-Batting Routine & Superstitions
(41:05) - Family Bonds, Marwari Upbringing & Gender Concerns
(49:37) - The 30-Minute Rule & Handling Her Emotions
(53:55) - Leadership, Captaincy & Taking Team Responsibility
(59:52) - Being Content, Selfless & Putting Others First
(1:12:29) - Handling Anger, Losing & Competition
(1:18:00) - The Mindset Coach Moment: "You're Not That Player Anymore"
(1:21:48) - Meeting Her Childhood Idol & Batting Alongside Her
(1:23:24) - Decoding Human Emotions & Fame
(1:35:50) - Staying Grounded Through Setbacks & Her Father's Health Scare
(1:42:30) - One Piece of Advice No One Should Follow
(1:45:10) - The Cost of Ambition: Cricket's Sacrifices
(1:47:51) - BTS
(1:48:31) - Outro
In today’s episode, we sit down with Smriti Mandhana, one of the biggest stars in Indian cricket, to talk about the mindset, sacrifices, and discipline behind performing at the highest level
Follow Smriti Mandhana:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smriti_mandhana/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smriti-mandhana-181491278/X: https://x.com/mandhana_smriti
About Raj Shamani
Raj Shamani is an Entrepreneur at heart that explains his expertise in Business Content Creation & Public Speaking. He has delivered 200+ speeches in 26+ countries. Besides that, Raj is also an Angel Investor interested in crazy minds who are creating a sensation in the Fintech, FMCG, & passion economy space.
To Know More,Follow Raj Shamani On ⤵︎
Instagram @RajShamani https://www.instagram.com/rajshamani/
Twitter @RajShamani https://twitter.com/rajshamani
Facebook @ShamaniRaj https://www.facebook.com/shamaniraj
LinkedIn - Raj Shamani https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajshamani/
About Figuring Out
Figuring Out Podcast is a Candid Conversations University where Raj Shamani brings raw conversations with the Top 1% in India.Protecting the President: Security, VIP Threats & ADC Life | Major Rishabh | FO560 Raj Shamani
10/09/2026 | 2h 12 mins.Download Porter Here: https://app.adjust.com/216agedw
Get your hand-picked playbook here: https://www.figuringout.co/pdf/fo-560
Guest Suggestion Form:
https://forms.gle/bnaeY3FpoFU9ZjA47
Disclaimer: This video is intended solely for educational purposes and opinions shared by the guest are his personal views. We do not intent to defame or harm any person/ brand/ product/ country/ profession mentioned in the video.
Our goal is to provide information to help audience make informed choices. The media used in this video are solely for informational purposes and belongs to their respective owners.
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:04:09) - Rumors, Fake News & His Hardest Personal Attacks
(00:07:51) - What an ADC Does: Anticipating the President's Needs
(00:16:57) - The Hardest Part: Managing a Presidential Tour
(00:19:03) - Presidential Etiquette: Protocol Rules & Why Touch Is Forbidden
(00:23:29) - VVIP Security: Sanitized Zones & Threat Assessments
(00:36:31) - Becoming an ADC: Selection, Interviews & Testing
(00:46:37) - Background Checks & Why He Trusts No One Outside His Inner Circle
(00:55:44) - Protocol in the Room & State-by-State Security
(01:06:17) - Decoding the Uniform: Colors, Medals & Ranks
(01:20:03) - Inside Para SF Selection: 90 Days of Sleep Deprivation & Survival Tests
(01:29:15) - Real Combat Stories: The Cave Operation & Kashmir
(01:31:59) - Make in India, Self-Reliance & Intelligence Agencies
(01:44:10) - The "Military Mindset": Discipline Over Aggression
(01:49:05) - Facing Real Fear: A Front-Line Story
(01:51:59) - His Childhood Dream, Father's Pride & Mother's Sacrifice
(01:57:39) - His Relationship With the President
(02:00:34) - Why He Retired Early & the Personal Cost of Service
(02:05:07) - 3 Characteristics Every Man Should Have
(02:06:10) - The Personal Cost He Paid to Become the President's ADC
(02:08:42) - What Is One Piece of Advice Nobody Should Follow?
(02:11:46) - BTS
(02:12:20) - Outro
In today's episode, we sit down with Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal an Ex-Special Forces officer and former ADC (Aide-de-Camp) to the President of India for a rare and powerful conversation about courage, discipline and serving at the very top.
About Raj Shamani
Raj Shamani is an Entrepreneur at heart that explains his expertise in Business Content Creation & Public Speaking. He has delivered 200+ speeches in 26+ countries. Besides that, Raj is also an Angel Investor interested in crazy minds who are creating a sensation in the Fintech, FMCG, & passion economy space.
To Know More,Follow Raj Shamani On ⤵︎
Instagram @RajShamani https://www.instagram.com/rajshamani/
Twitter @RajShamani https://twitter.com/rajshamani
Facebook @ShamaniRaj https://www.facebook.com/shamaniraj
LinkedIn - Raj Shamani https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajshamani/
About Figuring Out
Figuring Out Podcast is a Candid Conversations University where Raj Shamani brings raw conversations with the Top 1% in India.
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About Figuring Out with Raj Shamani
Figuring Out is a podcast for people who want to learn. It connects the world’s sharpest minds to the 1.4 billion Indians who want to win.
Raj Shamani sits across from the world's top 1%: billionaires, leaders, entrepreneurs, athletes, and experts to give you a masterclass in what it takes to reach the top of a global stage. World’s best playbooks, strategies, and stories for the generation that wants to turn their ambitious dreams into reality. Figuring Out has become a place where the world comes to talk to India. And where India comes to learn from the world. Follow to become a part of it.
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